The energy was undeniable as community leaders, residents and teammates filled the former Verizon building in October for a community town hall that marked another milestone in Roper St. Francis Healthcare’s journey toward opening its future Roper Hospital campus in North Charleston. The evening was filled with conversation, curiosity and excitement as neighbors discussed what the new campus will mean for North Charleston — from healthcare access and economic growth to preserving the area’s history and strengthening community ties.
Hosted by state Sen. Deon Tedder, state Rep. Courtney Waters and North Charleston Mayor Reggie Burgess, the gathering invited neighbors to learn more about construction progress, ask questions and tour full-scale mock-up hospital rooms that offered a glimpse into the future of world-class, patient-centered care.
Planning and design are already underway, with the project slated for completion by the second quarter of 2029. This new campus is a cornerstone of the Roper St. Francis Healthcare 2030 Strategic Plan, aligning expansion of access, modernization of technology and deepening of our regional footprint.
Listening, learning and building together
From the start, the conversation reflected deep community pride and engagement. Attendees asked thoughtful questions about how Roper St. Francis Healthcare will honor the historical and cultural significance of the land, preserve the character of the area and give back through beautification and local partnerships.
President and CEO Joseph DeLeon said those questions are exactly what the team hoped to hear.
“The community is excited, but they also care deeply about what this hospital represents,” he said. “We’re not just moving a facility; we’re becoming part of a neighborhood with its own history, stories and people. That means we have to listen, learn and grow alongside it.”
DeLeon said he’s proud that Roper Hospital teammates will work in a space that reflects both modern innovation and local connection. “They’ll be caring for patients who are also their neighbors,” he said. “That’s the true spirit of Roper St. Francis Healthcare.”
A project rooted in partnership
The collaboration behind the project was also front and center. Senator Deon Tedder described the new hospital as one of the largest economic development projects in North Charleston’s history, adding that its impact will stretch far beyond its walls.
“This project will create jobs, expand access to care and strengthen local businesses,” he said. “But what stands out to me is the effort to bring the community along every step of the way.”
Rep. Waters highlighted how the campus will help meet real needs for local families.
“We have many elderly residents and families who deserve care close to home,” she said. “Having Roper St. Francis Healthcare here in their own backyard makes that possible. It helps make life easier, healthier and more connected.”
For Mayor Burgess, the project represents a full-circle moment. Growing up in North Charleston, he remembers when access to healthcare meant traveling long distances.
“To have a hospital of this caliber right here in the center of our city is a blessing,” he said. “Hospitals are just as essential as schools and churches. Roper St. Francis Healthcare choosing North Charleston shows belief in this city and its people.”
Beyond construction milestones, the project’s success is rooted in collaboration and community input. Roper St. Francis Healthcare has established a community board to guide and inform this work, ensuring the project reflects the voices of the people who call North Charleston home. The board includes local leaders who provide feedback on everything from neighborhood relations and historical preservation to construction and traffic concerns. Their insight has already helped shape adjustments on site logistics and inspired plans for green spaces, walking paths and public art that will honor the area’s legacy.
Community voices and shared prides
This ongoing dialogue has strengthened trust and built momentum, reminding everyone involved that the future Roper Hospital campus isn’t just being built in North Charleston, it’s being built with North Charleston.
Local residents and board members said they left the event encouraged and inspired. Natalie Hauff, who serves on the Roper Hospital Board, said she was moved by the openness of the dialogue.
“It’s one thing to share updates, but another to bring everyone together and make sure they know how to get involved,” she said. “That shows a true commitment to partnership.”
North Charleston native K.J. Kearney agreed, saying the hospital’s presence has the potential to lift up the entire region.
“It was encouraging to hear about the intentional efforts to include local contractors and vendors,” he said. “Growth should happen with the community, not around it.”
Longtime resident Frank Philip Ancrum III said he’s proud to see an institution like Roper St. Francis Healthcare make such an investment in his hometown.
“For the community to have access to a state-of-the-art facility right in the middle of everything is incredible,” he said. “It brings healthcare, jobs and opportunity all in one place.”
Looking ahead
As the evening came to a close, the buzz of conversation lingered — a sign that the future Roper Hospital campus is already doing what it was designed to do: bring people together.
Regional President, Troy Powell, said that this collaboration will continue as the project moves forward.
“This campus is being shaped through partnership,” he said. “Every conversation, every question helps ensure we build something that reflects the heart of North Charleston and serves this community for generations to come.”
For teammates, the project also represents progress that extends beyond new walls. Many shared their excitement about working in a new facility designed to elevate the care we provide. The campus will make care more accessible for both patients and staff, reducing commute times and offering a modern, efficient environment that supports collaboration and innovation. It is a visible investment in the people who make Roper St. Francis Healthcare exceptional, those who serve with compassion, deliver excellence and bring the mission to life every day.
From preserving the area’s heritage to creating new opportunities for growth, the excitement surrounding the future Roper Hospital campus signals more than progress, it’s a shared belief in what’s possible when a community and its healthcare system move forward together.